French Music and Vocabulary – Just say no Posted by Tim Hildreth on Aug 28, 2018 in Culture, Music, Vocabulary
The French verb vouloir is a handy one for expressing what you want. It can also be handy for expressing what you don’t want, as in this song from Camelia Jordana.
Camelia is preforming live at Les Victoires de la Musique a sort of French version of the Grammy Awards. If after listening to this catchy tune you haven’t mastered the correct way to tell someone that you don’t want to do something, well, je ne sais pas comment vous aider! (I just don’t know how to help you!)
| Combien de fois faut-il | How many times must I |
| Vous le dire avec style? | Tell you with style? |
| Je ne veux pas sortir au Baron | I do not want to go out to the Baron |
| Non, non, non, non | No, no, no, no |
| Je ne veux pas prendre l´air | I do not want to get some air |
| Non, non, non, non | No, no, no, no |
| Je ne veux pas boire un verre | I do not want to get a drink |
| Non, non, non, non | No, no, no |
| Je ne veux pas l´oublier | I do not want to forget about him |
| Non, non, non, non | No, no, no, no |
| Je ne veux pas m´en passer | I don’t want to get let go of it |
| J´ veux juste aller mal | I just want to feel bad |
| Y a pas de mal à ça | There’s nothing wrong with that |
| Traîner, manger que dalle* | Loiter/lie around, eat nothin’ |
| Écouter Barbara** | Listen to Barbara |
| Peut-être qu´il reviendra | Maybe he’ll come back |
| Non, je ne veux pas faire un tour | No, I don’t want to take a walk |
| À quoi ça sert de faire un tour? | What’s the point in taking a walk? |
| Non, je ne veux pas me défaire | No, I don’t want to get over it |
| De ce si bel enfer | This oh-so-nice Hell |
| Qui commence à me plaire | That’s starting to please me |
| Je n´ veux pas quitter mon salon | I don’t want to leave my living room |
| Refrain | Chorus |
| Non, je ne veux pas aller mieux | No, I don’t want get better |
| À quoi ça sert d´aller mieux? | What’s the point in getting better? |
| Non, je ne veux pas m´habiller | No, I don’t want to get dressed |
| Non plus me maquiller | Nor put on makeup |
| Laissez-moi m´ennuyer | Let me be bored |
| Arrêtez avec vos questions | Stop with all your questions |
| Refrain | Chorus |
* I love this expression. Que dalle is handy in all sorts of situations when you want to express the idea of absolutely nothing, nada, zilch, etc. You can read a bit about it’s origins here.
** Barbara is a well-known French chanteuse whose songs might be just the thing when you’re feeling in that certain leave-me-alone-so-I-can-be-sad kind of mood.
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About the Author: Tim Hildreth
Since my first trip to France at 16, I have been a passionate francophile. I love the language, food, music, art, people, and more that make France and la Francophonie in general such an amazing part of our global community. Having lived in France and studied the language and culture for over 35 years, it is my great pleasure to be able to share a little bit of my deep love with you through this blog.